Effect of tool geometry and welding speed on mechanical properties of dissimilar AA2198–AA2024 FSWed joint

Abstract

Different tool geometries were used to investigate the joining of aluminum alloys (AA2198 to AA2024) by friction stir welding (FSW). Three shoulder profiles (flat, raised spiral, and raised fan) and five different pin profiles (cone, half threaded cylindrical, straight cylindrical, tapered cylindrical and square) were selected. Preliminary investigations were conducted by moving the tool into a seamless sheet made of the AA2024-T3 in order to select the tools that produce defect-free joints. Preliminary investigations showed the raised fan shoulder profile helps the material flow from the edge of shoulder to the pin creating a smooth surface finish with no flash in comparison with flat and raised spiral shoulder profiles. Pins with a minimum diameter equal to half the plate thickness produced lack of penetration (LOP) defects, while increasing minimum pin diameter to the plate thickness eliminates the LOP defects. Half threaded cylindrical pin produced tunneling defect, whereas defect free joint made by straight cylindrical, tapered cylindrical and cubic pin profiles. So they were selected for joining AA2024 to AA2198. Fracture locations of different joint variants were observed the vicinity of the thermomechanical affected zone (TMAZ) of AA2198-T3 alloy, and in the nugget on the AA2198-T3 side which have the minimum hardness and highest strain localization as confirmed by hardness maps and digital image coronation (DIC). Higher measured temperature than dissolution temperature of AA2198 main strengthening precipitates could be the reason of low hardness and fracture in TMAZ and center of nugget. Furthermore a raised fan shoulder with a tapered cylindrical pin produced highest elongation and yield strength and it was selected as the best candidate for optimization of the welding parameters. It was found that higher rotational and traverse speeds enhance the formation of tunneling and kissing bond defects, suggesting that longer pins have to be used for higher traverse speeds. Welding speed 750 rpm with 450 mm min−1 could create joint with highest yield strength.